Capacity-Building Trainings Begin for Local HHS-ACF Grantees

            On January 20, 2007, an Orientation and first Capacity-Building Training were conducted for key staff members of the 11 local FBCO’s (faith-based and community organizations) that are recent recipients of a Health & Human Services, Administration for Children & Families, Compassion Capital Fund (CCF) Grant funded through designated intermediary, The Institute for Contemporary Studies based in Oakland. The training was held at New Life Church of God In Christ, 4450 International Blvd., Oakland.

The 11 new sub-award organizations are all located in the East Bay Area and include: Alameda County Collaborative for Healthy African-American Marriages based in Hayward; Allen Temple Health & Social Services Ministries, Charles P. Foster Foundation, FACES of the East Bay, Latino Advisory Committee on Crime, Lion Share Unlimited, and Men Helping Men, all based in Oakland; Eleventh Hour Evangelistic Association based in Richmond/Pinole; God’s Love Outreach Ministry in Livermore; and Joyful Noise Family Center and Reality Mentor, Inc., both based in Hayward.

            Ms. Perenna Fleming, COO of ICS and ICS’s CCF Project Director, welcomed and congratulated all the new sub-awardees for receiving their grants, and explained the grant’s overall purpose and the value of its three primary components: the monetary award, the technical assistance, and the capacity-building trainings. She also explained clearly the do’s and don’ts of using federal funds, and encouraged everyone to take full advantage of this opportunity to use these resources to build the capacity of their organizations to better deliver marriage, relationship, and/or family strengthening education to their constituents.

            Ms. Ernesta Wright, the professional trainer contracted by ICS to conduct this series of capacity-building trainings, taught on the topics of Building Administrative Capacity, and Board Development. She gave an excellent presentation on both topics, with handouts for everyone showing the step-by-step actions to implement the points learned. There was lively and engaging question & answer. The participants remarked that they learned much from the trainings, and will take the information back to their organizations for implementation.

            Trainings will be held once a month for this group through July 2007. Upcoming topics include: Strategic Planning, Basic Budgeting & Accounting, Fundraising & Grant Writing, Volunteer Recruitment & Management, Building Collaborations, and Outcome Measurement & Evaluations. A special 3-day training in the “Art of Building Relationships” (also known as Mastering the Magic of Love, an easy-reading version of the highly-regarded, research-based Relationship Enhancement couple communication skills curriculum) will be held on Mar. 15-16-17. Upon completion of this training, graduates will be certified as Authorized Presenters of ABR, further enhancing their organizations’ capacity to teach communication skills to their constituents.

            Most of these trainings are open to the general public, and especially for staff of local FBCO’s.